John Mark Comer did it again. This is a very complete explanation and invitation on how to actually practice Jesus' way, how to be his apprentice. I like that it also presents a very coherent way to connect theory with practice. Is a "how to" guide on following Jesus and it will help you know how to get to the right place and posture so Jesus' spirit would actually (trans)form you.

This is my second book I’ve read from Comer, and I am continually impressed with his writing style and the relatability of his words.
This book is a great starting place for those wanting to take a deeper look into becoming disciples for God. Comer does a fantastic job at laying the groundwork for us to understand not only the history behind disciples, but also the importance of living the life of one today. Comer also notes the importance of living as an “apprentice” rather than just simply being a disciple, and this was eye opening for me personally. We’re often taught the importance of discipleship, but that alone can lead us to remain in comfort zones that don’t allow us to live a full life with God.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC.

Practicing the Way is another great book from John Mark Comer for both apprentices of Jesus and those who are not but are interested. If you have listened to Comer’s teaching from the last 5 or so years, this book feels like the pinnacle of his teachings, of his own discipleship to Jesus, and his gift to teach and lead others. Comer practically lays out what it looks like to not just know Jesus, but to truly apprentice under Jesus. Stylistically, this is an easy read as Comer’s communication flows smoothly and almost conversationally. I was personally challenged by reading this and will be recommending it to others.

Do you want more of Jesus? Do you want to be more like Jesus? If your answer is yes, then this book is a must-read. In John Mark's typical style, Practicing the Way is theologically rich and provides a "how-to" guide on apprenticeship to Jesus that is easy to read and difficult to put down. This is the book every person serious about Jesus should read for an accessible deep-dive on spiritual formation and discipleship. Read it and with practice, you might find yourself living and loving like Jesus.

A breath of fresh air, Comer is to the point and somehow the simplicity of the gospel as he presents it seems revolutionary in the noise of the modern world. He graciously addresses the present issues and some of the failing attempts at solutions, setting up for the appeal to a new (or more accurately, ancient) Way to live. He writes not from a place of anger, or scapegoating, but from a grieved yet hopeful heart.

If I was not reading a digital copy, it would have been wet with highlighter ink, for a book certainly readable at a popular level, it is incredibly well sourced. Comer introduces the reader to theological concepts from a range of denominations; current neuroscience, desert fathers and mothers, famous pastors and secular psychologists. More than all of these however, John Mark Comer has illuminated the words of the Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth, and the writers of scripture as ancient paths that we would do well to follow today.

For the new believer, this is a great guide and the best answer I know of to the next question in your spiritual journey; now what?

For the honest skeptic, this book is very accommodating, and compassionate toward your doubts. It does not suggest simple solutions to complex problems, rather invites each of us to ask of ourselves; who do I want to become?

And for those that have been walking with Jesus for some time now, this book is a worthwhile opportunity to examine how your apprenticeship to Jesus is really doing.

I do not think I am overstating to say that the only people you and I will see in the community of God of the future are those who take seriously the vision casted in this book.

If you want to be one of those people, this is a great place to start.

I have been a Christian for several years. Recently I have been convicted of blending in with the culture around me and not accurately portraying what Jesus calls me to be as His example or witness. Not with judgment but with living a life the exemplifies what He calls “living life to the full”. This book is a reframing and retelling of age old truths that describe ways that allow God access into my life to transform me into a truer representative of Himself. Even though I have read hundreds, if not some thousand, books about Jesus and Christianity, this book came across as new and relevant for today. I was riveted. I gave this book as a Christmas present to most of my friends. I highly recommend putting this book at the top of your reading list!
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I have not read everything John Mark Comer has put out, but have read a few of his books and come across him in other spheres (interviews, podcasts, etc.)., so I feel like I know his general takes and perspectives on things.
I generally prefer Comer as an orator than a writer. I've listened to several excellent conversations and interviews he's taken part in (especially with Mark Sayers), and have liked those more than the topical books he often writes.
However, the subject I like hearing him speak about best is spiritual disciplines, so when I saw that it was the topic of his next book, I was very eager to read. And I am happy to say that it did not disappoint!

This book is written to Christians who want to go deeper, who want but may not be sure how to attain the freedom Jesus offers. His premise is that Christians can be transformed if they apprentice themselves to Jesus, and arrange their lives to the rhythms He himself practiced. This book offers a different word than mainline Christianity or culture might say, and it is challenging but still attainable. Overall, insightful, enjoyable, and has something to offer every Christian.
Thank you to Net Galley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the Advanced Copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, John Mark Comer, and the publisher for the advanced copy in order to review. All opinions are my own.

I was looking forward to this book, and I’m so thankful that it was written. It was exactly what I needed to read, and every Christian should read it. It was ways to read but very challenging. I will recommend it to everyone, and it will be one I end up reading again!

The book Christians are desperate for:

I truly believe that Comer is one of the most influential pastors of our time. In this book he offers us the thing that many modern churches dance around, but aren’t able to articulate: practical ways to be a disciple of Jesus (beyond just reading your Bible and praying). In his approachable, down-to-earth style full of practical examples, biblical backing, and psychology, Comer challenges the believer to be more than a nominal Christian, but to be all in. And he doesn’t just say “hey you need to do more for Jesus,” he shows us how. The first half of the book is a strong argument for owning your faith and actually challenging yourself to be like Jesus and the second half is the beginnings of how to make that happen. Far from being prescriptive, Comer is clear that there’s no one size fits all to discipleship. I also appreciate that, though he’s an introvert, he doesn’t give that as an excuse to shy away from more typical extroverted aspects of discipleship like community, witness, and service. I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s serious about making their faith their own. I think if taken seriously, the principles laid out in this book can help us be more mature believers. I personally plan to do the accompanying study with a group of young adults from my church.

*thank you WaterBrook & Multnomah for the ARC of this book*

Thank you NetGalley and WaterBrook Multnomah for the ARC. Five stars all around. This was the perfect read to start the New Year with. It revitalized my spirit and soul. Comer’s words are incredibly impactful, inspirational, and, if you allow them, life changing.

The book, as observed from the title, “Practicing the Way,” is about becoming disciples under Jesus via love, practice, surrender, faithfulness, and more. Jesus will meet us where we’re at — we just have to show up each day.

A well-written and thoroughly researched book; one that I will absolutely be sharing with friends and family.

Pub date: January 16, 2024

As usual, a stunningly well-written book from John Mark Comer! I definitely recommend "Practicing the Way" as a great gift for someone who wants to deepen their relationship with the Lord in a practical way and really understand why. Comer's humorous writing style and relatability is unmatched in the Christian "self"-help genre of this decade at least and is sure to teach even the most studious scholar something new!

We are all disciples; the question is what are we disciples of?

“If we’re not being intentionally formed by Jesus himself, then it’s highly likely we are being unintentionally formed by someone or something else.”

As always, John Mark Comer's writing is engaging and easy to digest. He presents scripture in a way that is thought-provoking, with context to bring it to life more than I've ever experienced.

This feels like a culmination of all his past books, presented in a way that is practical and helps you consider rhythms for your own life. Because of that, it's much more dense and requires a lot of reflection as you read.

Overall, a really great read – one I will be purchasing and revisiting often!

Thank you WaterBrook Multnomah and NetGalley for the e-arc!

(update 1.10.24) (Sadly, I am removing another star due to this book's pre-order campaign. I explain more at the very bottom.)

Thank you, Waterbrook/Multnomah and NetGalley, for an advance copy of this book. I’ve tried to give honest feedback here.

—(likes)—

I loved Comer’s “Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.” I bought the audiobook, then the hardback to dig in deeper. I’ve also enjoyed listening to many of his sermons on the “Practicing the Way” podcast. I haven’t read “Live No Lies,” but this new book, “Practicing the Way,” sounded helpful and practical to me.

I feel like the book is challenging us (in an inviting way) to “apprentice” under Jesus, to become like Him. The idea that we could become like Jesus (and do what he did) is quite radical. I love it. And I love that Comer has his own experience (and that of others) to back it up.

The book has so many thought-provoking lines. I have multi-colored highlights on almost every page, plus many little notes (Kindle: +1!). Just one early example (of dozens): “The question is not, Am I becoming a person? It’s, Who or what am I becoming?” Ooh.

Besides many thought-provoking lines, there’s an abundance of practical advice. Especially if you include all the free resources online at the “Practicing the Way” website.

So, this book is an easy 5 stars, right? I wish. I really do. It was a gift, for [someone’s] sake!

—(dislikes)—

My only qualm with the book is the use of “Rule of Life.” Not the concept, but the actual phrase. I wish another phrase were used instead.

That seems pretty minor, right? I’d agree, but this book is all about renaming things. Comer relabels a lot: Instead of “disciple,” it’s “apprentice.” Instead of “Christianity,” it’s “the Way.” (Not even “the way of Jesus.”) Instead of “teacher,” it’s “rabbi.” Instead of “spiritual disciplines,” it’s “practices.” And those are headline changes: He uses his relabels in the title, chapter titles, main headings, etc. So in this book, it’s kind of a big deal.

And really, I’m fine with all those changes. It’s like “The Message” version of the Bible: another way to look at something. Perhaps easier for some to understand. And the intention is to make it easier for people to digest, to remove legalistic stumbling blocks.

And that’s my problem with “Rule of Life,” which I’d actually heard of before. If it’s new to you, let’s start with a dictionary definition of “rule”:

1) one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere. (“the rules of the game were understood”)
2) a principle that operates within a particular sphere of knowledge, describing or prescribing what is possible or allowable. (“the rules of grammar”)
3) a code of practice and discipline for a religious order or community (“the Rule of St. Benedict”)

Guess which one the book means? Yes, #3. That might be fine, except think about trying to explain a “Rule of Life” to a stranger over coffee. When people hear “rule,” what percent of people think of definition 3? Zero percent. Worse, if we think of definition 1 or 2, do we get an appropriate sense of "Rule of Life," or a distorted sense? Distorted.

Using “Rule of Life” is just confusing. It’s a barrier to understanding. It feels like intellectual or historical elitism. It gets in the way and gives me pause when I think about learning more or developing my own, whether alone or in community.

Comer tries to explain/defend its use, but I call foul. No one uses “rule” that way these days, so why use it? If you were to invent something like the rule of life today, would you call it a rule? No, you’d pick a word that people can grasp without needing to rethink it each time in their head. Besides, “rule” can be triggering/offputting for some who think this will be a list of “rules.”

Comer tries to make clear it’s “rule” (definition 3) by capitalizing it, like “That’s what a Rule is.” Except how does that work in the audiobook? Or conversation? And what if we’re thinking of “The Golden Rule,” which is also capitalized?

Comer also mentions a “Rule” is not a list of rules, but rather practices/relationships/commitments. But if I see “Rule of Life” at the top of a list of items, it’s subconsciously going to make me think of rules (definition 1 or 2). I feel even Comer trips over this when he talks about a “rule” he and his wife have. If he at least never used “Rule” (definition 3), there’d be less confusion.

“Rule of Life” is ancient language, as even Comer acknowledges. He should borrow from “The Message” and lovingly use an alternative. He even mentions some, like trellis, map, anchor, path. “Trellis” is a good start. Think of a tomato trellis or tomato cage: It gives a helpful image. And even if someone thinks of a cage as bad, any gardener (or person who sees an image of a tomato cage) will realize the cage doesn’t trap the tomatoes in, but helps free them to their full potential.

Or just ask ChatGPT. I spent less than 1 minute and got “Life Trellis,” “Trellis of Being,” “Spiritual Trellis,” “Trellis of Wisdom.” Imagine what 5 minutes would yield!

And again, “Rule of Life” is plastered everywhere. It’s a key part of a chapter title, just like “apprentice.” It’s mentioned probably a hundred times in the book. One could argue it’s the thrust and point and hope of the book, with the end of the book including a full “Rule of Life” followed immediately by a link to their “Rule of Life Builder” website, then at the very very end, a mention of the “Rule of Life” podcast.

In summary for the dislikes, don’t choose a term that is a) easily confused because of overlapping-but-distinct definitions, b) where the definition you intend is not actually used by anyone you want to reach (heaven forbid someone with ESL), c) where the word could be offputting to some, d) not in the Bible but rather in the 6th century as your primary use case, e) not a metaphor/image.

Rather, pick a word/phrase a) where the common definition fits, b) where it’s not a common trigger, c) helpful metaphor/image, etc. “Life Trellis” or even “Tomato Trellis of Life” at least are helpful and can stand a bit on their own.

I honestly wish I could use the Kindle app to change every use of “Rule” to “Tomato Trellis.” Then, I’d give the book 5 stars.

(update 1.10.24)
First off, again the overall content of the book I liked. It made me think, at least, as demonstrated by dozens of multi-color highlights and notes while reading via the Kindle app. So one can "mine" the book for lots of ideas on becoming a better Christian/disciple/apprentice. No book will be perfect. Some might even have things we disagree with. Take the good and ignore the bad?

But anyway, I realized something about the pre-order campaign for this book really bugs me. The crux is that if you preorder the book, you exclusively get "How to Spend A Day with Jesus" free. I dug thru some official emails:

"Once the book is officially released, this exclusive preorder content will no longer be accessible."

"Order Practicing the Way this week and you'll still get a free copy of How to Spend A Day with Jesus — originally an appendix, we turned it into a free-standing companion, but four days from now it will disappear into the vault forever. (Okay, there is no vault, but this is your last chance.)"

I haven't read this "digital companion," and in general I'm really not fond of Kickstarter-esque exclusives. But let's imagine a similar made-up example:

1) "Hey, this is Jesus. My friend Matthew has this new book coming out, with a bunch of my teachings in it. It's great. Preorder now, and I'll give you a free bonus. I gave a sermon a while back—some call it the "Sermon on the —super helpful stuff. We were going to include it in chapter 5 (i.e. for free), but instead, we've made it a free bonus … if you preorder. If you wait until the release date, it'll be gone. It will no longer be accessible. If your friends find out too late about this, tough luck. If they aren't even born yet, tough luck. But hey, I love y'all."

It would be different if it was just JM sharing cute pics of his kids or "a funny thing happened to me on the way to the coffee shop," like just funny anecdotes.

But it's not. It's literally called, "How to Spend a Day with Jesus." That sounds important. (And if not important, then it's a tease/clickbait, which isn't helping.) And you know what? JM would probably not lock the cute pics behind a time/pay/preorder wall, because who doesn't want to share cute pics of their kids, or a funny story that happened to them? How much more should he want to share "How to spend a day with Jesus"?!

Pre-order bonus? Fine. But why in Jesus' name would you have info on how to spend a day with *Him* and declare that "act now or miss out … forever!" Especially from the guy who wrote "ruthlessly eliminate hurry." Isn't this FOMO? What happened to the fruit of patience, like maybe I've got a stack of books to read, or I want to see a few more reviews come in? Isn't he supposed to be more loving/patient/kind/generous/etc. than the rest of us because he's been practicing the practices for years? It makes me question the heart underlying the whole book.

Now maybe it's not JM but the publisher or who knows. But JM put his name to the emails, so I'm going with that.

John Mark Comer does an amazing job bringing together ancient wisdom to start you on your spiritual formation journey. This book is a must read!

I was a huge fan of JMC "Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" and jumped at the opportunity to read "Practicing the Way."
John Mark's using the basis of Jesus' teaching "FOLLOW ME" and gives us practical examples of how we can make that happen in small, realistic ways. This book is, above all, a call for Christians (or really anyone) to examine their life and ask what it is you are being formed by. Practicing the Way describes a lifestyle where one is, as Comer labels it, an “apprentice” to Jesus. Rather than your faith just being a statement you make professing your belief in order to get to heaven, apprenticeship to Jesus is a daily practice that deepens your relationship with God, resulting in a transformation by God’s love and peace into you becoming a more loving and peaceful person.

In Practicing the Way, JMC says, "Following Jesus always requires you to leave something behind."

As a wife and a mom of 8 children, I especially appreciated the reminder to start with small practices and accept the interruptions as an invitation to surrender control.

"I know some people who never miss a week of church, read through the entire Bible every year, and never watch R-rated movies (all good things) but who are still self-righteous, controlling, fueled by anger, blind to their own shadow, and, at times, incredibly unloving. And I know others who are in a season of just trying to survive parenting little kids and barely getting ten minutes a day to pray. But tired as they may be, they are becoming more loving with each passing year. Love is the metric to pay attention to."

This book is a timely word for the church and for culture right now. Everything about how it is bringing it back to the basics of what it means to follow Jesus and what a life actually looks like when following Him. I love how Comer writes very practically and answers questions about discipleship and does not ignore that we are humans but this is actually a life practice that does not become perfect over night. He gives a beautiful invitation on life with Jesus and all the benefits that come with that when we lay our lives down and follow him.

Comer brings following Jesus back to the basics, in a way that is simple yet extraordinary! As Western Christians we have done ourselves and culture a disservice for many years, but this book calls us back to the practice of truly following our Rabbi. I was challenged and encouraged all through this read and found myself incorporating the principles into my quiet time immediately. I have already ordered multiple copies of this book to share with friends and family and look forward to Practicing the Way in 2024 with my family and small group. This book is a 5-star, YES!

Okay, full disclosure—I was already a huge fan of JMC’s teachings before I read this book, so when I realized that Practicing the Way is a synthesis of John Mark Comer’s most powerful (for me) teachings regarding apprenticeship to Jesus and incorporating spiritual disciplines (i.e., a rule of life) into my life rhythm, I was thrilled. And (this is a big and) even though I was already very familiar with these teachings, my heart burned with conviction as I read through this book. Practicing the Way outlines a compelling definition of following Jesus that at its core cannot be compartmentalized—it’s a whole-body, whole-lifestyle way to live with eyes completely fixed on Jesus our Teacher, or as JMC fleshes out in this book, our Rabbi.

One section that convicted my soul early on is the distinction he makes between the two groups of people who were following Jesus: apprentices versus “the crowd.” He goes on to distinguish the two based on their listening patterns. Did his followers listen to his teachings like a devoted apprentice and choose to follow, obey, and put into practice the way of living that Jesus was modeling, or were they listening like “the crowd”—those who simply heard the words Jesus was saying and then went about their regular lives?

The different forms of listening can be explained with a cursory understanding of the Hebrew word shema. The shema is a well-worn prayer given to us by Moses and even now still murmured by devout Jews multiple times a day: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (Deuteronomy 6:4 NLT). That word translated “listen” is shema, which means to listen and obey (or to put into action what was just heard). It’s two sides (listen and obey) to the same coin; you can’t have one without the other. “The crowd" was simply listening to Jesus’ words—as in the sound waves were vibrating their eardrums. But the apprentices of Jesus allowed those words to not only strike their eardrums but also pierce their hearts and compell them to put into action what Jesus was teaching and modeling.

I couldn’t help but wonder as I read, as a parent of three daughters, which category of follower am I modeling for my girls? Are Jesus’ teachings and way of life simply sets of compelling phrases that I pull out to ring in their ears at the appropriate time, or is Jesus’ way of living a rhythm I follow that cannot be extracted from who I am and compartmentalized into neat little bits of wisdom?

I realize this is a difficult standard for any follower of Jesus to truly embody, but this is why so many of JMC’s teachings resonate in my soul—because they come rooted in truth, expertly woven with supporting quotes from modern-day and ancient mystics alike, and delivered with grace and love: Go slow. Start with sabbath. If you fall down, as we all will, get back up and keep going. While your heart will burn with conviction while reading this book, do not be afraid. There is no pounding of pulpits, screams of fire and brimstone, or 20-step plan that sends your head into a sea of overwhelm. Instead, there is a guide that begins with what matters and why, leads to where to start, and finishes with ample encouragement to keep going when it looks messy or like failure—from a recovering control freak and perfectionist, these messages are balm to my soul and quiet to my very loud and articulate inner critic who is constantly pointing out my shortcomings.

For all the type-As reading this, I will warn you that this is only book one in a series—there’s more to come. You won’t find all the steps in this one book to answer all your questions and fill in all the gaps you encounter in this messy life we lead in a broken world. Instead you’ll find what you need for now—a focus for your spirit’s eyes and an encouragement to start. The rest will come later. What’s important is that you take this way of living off the “I’ll get to it later” shelf, and make it part of your life rhythm now. As apprentices of Jesus, this book is your invitation to “Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did.” What a compelling invitation—one that brings peace and fulfillment rather than anxiety and stress. The choice is yours: will you take time to better understand Jesus’ call to apprenticeship by reading this book? I hope you do.

Thank you NetGalley and Yates & Yates for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Once again, John Mark Comer freely pours out his wisdom onto his readers. His new book, Practicing the Way is full of practical ways to learn to be an apprentice to Jesus. This is no easy feat and his readers are reminded of this but John Mark shares why it is worth this cost. Readers will enjoy reading the value of Fasting, Prayer, Sabbath, and the importance of Community. Readers will also learn how to implement a Rule of Life and the secrets of being with Jesus. This book is full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from numerous resources. This read is great for seminarians, laymen, and those seeking diligently after Christ.

Being an apprentice to Jesus...this book was both challenging and hopeful. Of course, it is "work" to live our lives as Jesus. It should be. So often, the feedback is that we're not doing it well or "right" or good enough. Throughout the time I read, I had a multitude of feelings. Ultimately, I felt as though I was given a place to start and very specific guidelines for how to move forward. "Start where you are not where you think you should be" is a terrific message. I appreciate the directness and compassion and understanding in this plan.